South Indian film directors continue to dominate the box office, with SS Rajamouli emerging at the top of the ₹1,000 crore club after delivering two blockbuster films. The milestone underlines the growing national and global reach of South Indian cinema and its commercial pull across markets.


South Indian Directors Rule Box Office as SS Rajamouli Tops ₹1,000 Crore Club 

Our next story is about Pope Leo, who is fast becoming one of the most culturally engaged popes in modern history. Last month, he welcomed Hollywood stars and filmmakers into the Vatican. It was more than a photo op. it was a statement about his love for cinema and storytelling.


Pope Leo urges filmmakers to bring hope, beauty and truth

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has announced the launch of India’s first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) Film Festival and Hackathon, taking place during IFFI's 56th edition in Goa from November 20-28, 2024. In collaboration with LTIMindtree and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the festival aims to bring together filmmakers, technologists, and innovators to explore AI-driven storytelling.


IFFI 2025 Opens With Cinema Parade In Goa: Culture, Cinema & Celebration

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has announced the launch of India’s first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) Film Festival and Hackathon, taking place during IFFI's 56th edition in Goa from November 20-28, 2024. In collaboration with LTIMindtree and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the festival aims to bring together filmmakers, technologists, and innovators to explore AI-driven storytelling.

With Shekhar Kapur, IFFI Festival Director, calling it a new “lens” for filmmaking, this initiative promises to shape the future of cinema through AI. Is AI a boon or bane for the creative world? This festival is the perfect space to find out.

IFFI To Launch India's First AI Film Festival 

In the last scene of Moonwalk, the tribute from Malayalam cinema to Michael Jackson, I spotted my dance instructor from the 1990s in the role of a breakdance competition judge. As I walked out of the cinema hall after the show, a bunch of new-generation YouTubers were asking opinions from the departing audience. Such audience reviews are now the norm in the movie industry of southern Kerala state, and can make or break films. For a moment, I felt like talking to the YouTubers, but I walked away, with a limp from my newly acquired back pain. As I stepped out, I felt the passage of time that affected my feet, which once tapped to songs from Michael Jackson and plenty of others, and doing signature breakdance steps such as 'wave', which is among the main meme-worthy scenes of Moonwalk.&nbsp;More than just another movie, Vinod AK's directorial debut was a nostalgia trip for people like me, who were young, restless and rebellious in the 1990s.&nbsp;It was an era when the Indian government's globalisation and liberalisation policies introduced the college-going youth to western music and dance. Michael Jackson was the undisputed king of pop, both as a singer and dancer. Breakdance, and later hip hop, were emerging as the new dance forms in Indian cities and towns. Tuning in to western music, wearing baggy pants, growing our hair long on the front (called shade) and back (called tail), riding bikes, and learning breakdance were part of the lifestyle and trends of the 1990s youth, almost a rite of passage for our times.&nbsp;The story of Moonwalk - a group of friends bonding over breakdance and taking inspiration from Michael Jackson to form a troupe - is the distillation of that subculture of music and dance in some parts of Kerala. It is almost unbelievable when looking back, as to how this essentially American culture swept us by our feet, quite literally.&nbsp;It happened because of several reasons, most depicted in the film: the availability of music cassettes and VHD tapes, either sent or smuggled from the Gulf or elsewhere by relatives of Malayalis, the search for something different from the regular small town existence of Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala, and even a streak of rebellion, that made many of us pierce our ears and wear ear-rings, as shown in the film, and seek out and aspire for a culture bigger than ours. It helped me relate to the nostalgia, as even the language, which we call Trivandrum slang, was on point. As shown in the film, many of the dance troupes struggled to find stages, as it was quite a contrast from what Kerala - or for that matter India - was familiar with, culturally and musically. It was a sharp contradiction to see breakdance performances amid temple festivals, church events, or college functions. Dancers and musicians who looked up to the West for inspiration were often scorned and publicly ridiculed, or even attacked, all of which is shown in the film. The humiliating haircut that the troupe members received at a police station is quite possibly based on a real incident or incidents. The film had some dance moves that were relatable, though the choreography, framing, and editing could have been better. Then there is the limitation imposed by music copyright, which meant that none of Michael Jackson's songs, which we danced to in those days, could be used.&nbsp;The film's storyline also tried to incorporate the reality of racism and caste discrimination, by positioning a youth from a fisherman's family as a key dancer, the troupe's true inheritor of Michael Jackson and subsequent leader.&nbsp;The dancer, in Michael Jackson costume, being asked to carry a jackfruit on his head as an errand, is reflective of the times he lived in: Life happens amid all the fantasy ride. Reality hits hard at the end of it all.&nbsp;Many of the dancers went to different pastures eventually. Some went outside Kerala, or abroad, for further studies or jobs, carrying with them memories of a few great days and nights, while only a few stuck to their passion, becoming dance instructors, choreographers, directors and producers.&nbsp;The film, shot in 2020, almost didn't release till the top director-producer duo Lijo Jose Pellissery and Listin Stephen came on board as producer-distributor.&nbsp;In doing so, they helped not only bring a movie to the audience, but also leave behind an almost ethnographic documentary of a time that many youngsters of the late 1980s to 1990s from the sleepy southern town hold dear in their memories.&nbsp;While the film is not perfect, it needs to be appreciated for the effort that went into re-creating such a unique era of our young days.&nbsp;

Moonwalk,  Malayalam film tribute to Michael Jackson, a nostalgia trip into 1990s. A very personal review

In the last scene of Moonwalk, the tribute from Malayalam cinema to Michael Jackson, I spotted my dance instructor from the 1990s in the role of a breakdance competition judge. As I walked out of the cinema hall after the show, a bunch of new-generation YouTubers were asking opinions from the departing audience. Such audience reviews are now the norm in the movie industry of southern Kerala state, and can make or break films. For a moment, I felt like talking to the YouTubers, but I walked away, with a limp from my newly acquired back pain. As I stepped out, I felt the passage of time that affected my feet, which once tapped to songs from Michael Jackson and plenty of others, and doing signature breakdance steps such as 'wave', which is among the main meme-worthy scenes of Moonwalk. More than just another movie, Vinod AK's directorial debut was a nostalgia trip for people like me, who were young, restless and rebellious in the 1990s. It was an era when the Indian government's globalisation and liberalisation policies introduced the college-going youth to western music and dance. Michael Jackson was the undisputed king of pop, both as a singer and dancer. Breakdance, and later hip hop, were emerging as the new dance forms in Indian cities and towns. Tuning in to western music, wearing baggy pants, growing our hair long on the front (called shade) and back (called tail), riding bikes, and learning breakdance were part of the lifestyle and trends of the 1990s youth, almost a rite of passage for our times. The story of Moonwalk - a group of friends bonding over breakdance and taking inspiration from Michael Jackson to form a troupe - is the distillation of that subculture of music and dance in some parts of Kerala. It is almost unbelievable when looking back, as to how this essentially American culture swept us by our feet, quite literally. It happened because of several reasons, most depicted in the film: the availability of music cassettes and VHD tapes, either sent or smuggled from the Gulf or elsewhere by relatives of Malayalis, the search for something different from the regular small town existence of Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala, and even a streak of rebellion, that made many of us pierce our ears and wear ear-rings, as shown in the film, and seek out and aspire for a culture bigger than ours. It helped me relate to the nostalgia, as even the language, which we call Trivandrum slang, was on point. As shown in the film, many of the dance troupes struggled to find stages, as it was quite a contrast from what Kerala - or for that matter India - was familiar with, culturally and musically. It was a sharp contradiction to see breakdance performances amid temple festivals, church events, or college functions. Dancers and musicians who looked up to the West for inspiration were often scorned and publicly ridiculed, or even attacked, all of which is shown in the film. The humiliating haircut that the troupe members received at a police station is quite possibly based on a real incident or incidents. The film had some dance moves that were relatable, though the choreography, framing, and editing could have been better. Then there is the limitation imposed by music copyright, which meant that none of Michael Jackson's songs, which we danced to in those days, could be used. The film's storyline also tried to incorporate the reality of racism and caste discrimination, by positioning a youth from a fisherman's family as a key dancer, the troupe's true inheritor of Michael Jackson and subsequent leader. The dancer, in Michael Jackson costume, being asked to carry a jackfruit on his head as an errand, is reflective of the times he lived in: Life happens amid all the fantasy ride. Reality hits hard at the end of it all. Many of the dancers went to different pastures eventually. Some went outside Kerala, or abroad, for further studies or jobs, carrying with them memories of a few great days and nights, while only a few stuck to their passion, becoming dance instructors, choreographers, directors and producers. The film, shot in 2020, almost didn't release till the top director-producer duo Lijo Jose Pellissery and Listin Stephen came on board as producer-distributor. In doing so, they helped not only bring a movie to the audience, but also leave behind an almost ethnographic documentary of a time that many youngsters of the late 1980s to 1990s from the sleepy southern town hold dear in their memories. While the film is not perfect, it needs to be appreciated for the effort that went into re-creating such a unique era of our young days.

More than just another movie, Vinod AK's directorial debut was a nostalgia trip for people like me, who were young, restless and rebellious in the 1990s.&nbsp;

Moonwalk:  Malayalam film tribute to Michael Jackson is a nostalgia trip into 1990s. A very personal watching experience

Here are 9 Indian films that have made a remarkable impact at Cannes.

Here are 9 Indian films that have made a remarkable impact at Cannes.

Film Festival Wonders: 9 Indian Cinematic Gems at Cannes

A wave of nostalgia is sweeping cinemas across India and globally. Beloved films from the late 90s and early 20s, like Kaho Na Pyaar Hai and Kal Ho Na Ho, alongside Harry Potter and Shrek, are returning to the big screen. Join us on WION e-Club as we explore this trend of re-releases and delve into the magic of reliving cinematic classics.

From Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai to Harry Potter: Re-release mania hits theatres worldwide

The first edition of the Bodhipath Film Festival organised by the International Buddhist Confederation in collaboration with The Vivekananda International Foundation. The festival was held at the India International Centre, New Delhi. Watch this report for more update.

Bodhipath Film Festival: Festival showcase Buddhist culture through films

Various newsmaking hit films of 2024, such as The Sabarmati Report, All We Imagine As Light enjoyed a launch on streaming sites. While the Vikrant Massey starrer enjoyed a release on Zee5, the Grand Prix-winning Payal Kapadia directorial enjoyed a release on Hotstar. The second week of January also witnessed Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez split for the second time. Take a look at everything else happening in the world of showbiz.

From The Sabarmati Report to All We Imagine As Light: OTT Releases to watch out for this week | E-Club

There is a battle going on between Donald Trump and the makers of the movie on Trump's life. As the film is set to release it has been quoting controversy since May when the film was first screened. The writer and director of the film Apprentice reacted to Donald Trump slamming his portrayal in the film. Watch to know more.

Movie On Trump Stirs Controversy

Movie Examines Donald Trump's Career As A Real Estate Businessman

Johnny Depp has made a triumphant return to the big screen with the release of his highly anticipated biopic "MODI." The film delves into the life of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, showcasing Depp's passion for both acting and filmmaking. "MODI" marks Depp's return to the spotlight as a movie star, as he takes on the role of director for the project.

Johnny Depp Launches His "MODI" Biopic, Makes Comeback As Movie Star

After making history by winning the prestigious Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival 2024, Payal Kapadia's film "All We Imagine as Light" has been shortlisted to represent France at the Oscars 2025. This marks another major milestone for the filmmaker, bringing international recognition to her work.

Cannes 2024 Winner 'All We Imagine As Light' Shortlisted For Oscars, To Release In India Soon

The Rings Of Power showrunner JD Payne and actresses Markella Kavenagh and Megan Richards spoke to WION's Shomini Sen about their challenges while filming the show. Payne also answered if there were challenges of shooting a large-scale fantasy fiction with stunning visuals for an OTT platform. Listen in.

The Rings Of Power team on filming the legacy series for OTT, fun on sets, and more | WION Originals

French film star Anouk Aimée, a popular leading lady for several of Europe's most influential directors, has died aged 92. Aimée appeared in dozens of films across her eight-decade career, including starring in Claude Lelouch's A Man and a Woman, for which she was nominated for an Oscar.

Anouk Aimée (1932-2024): Bidding farewell to the world-famous icon

As Alia Bhatt turns a year older, here's looking at the 7 films that made her a bonafide superstar of Bollywood and a force to reckon with.

7 Films That Made Alia Bhatt A Force To Reckon With

As the Oscar fever continues, director Christopher Nolan continues to remain this season's favourite filmmaker. Previously, Nolan's films have won the golden statue in other categories, but he has never won the award himself. Will 'Oppenheimer' be his game changing moment? Find out more in this episode of E-Club.

Hollywood's most celebrated talents who have not won Oscar

We have some good news for all the cinephiles out there. Movies play a more important role in your well-being than you think. Reports suggest that every different genre has a different impact on your health.

How your favourite film genres impact your health

With the rise in pet ownership during the COVID-19 pandemic, some businesses are now capitalizing on this trend.

In Pics | Thailand's first pet-friendly cinema opens for four-legged film-goers

Critics Choice Awards ceremonies were held on Sunday evening at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The annual awards celebrated the best in television and cinema, with ABC's "Abbott Elementary" topping the television nominees with six and A24's "Everything Everywhere All at Once" leading the film categories with 14. Best Comedy went to Rian Johnson's murder thriller Glass Onion: Knives Out, and Best Foreign Language Series went to the Korean series Pachinko. India must be proud of SS Rajamouli's RRR because it won two accolades. Both the Best Foreign Language Film and Best Song awards went to RRR. RRR also bagged nominations for The Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Visual Effects nominations. The movie had already won a Golden Globe for Best Song for the song Naatu Naatu.&nbsp;

The 28th annual Critics' Choice Awards, which were shown on Sunday night, honoured the best in television and film. Without The CW cable, you can still watch the event live on DirecTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV, which started broadcasting at 7 pm ET on the CW. This year's event was hosted by Chelsea Handler instead of Taye Diggs, who presided over it for the previous four years in a row. Additionally at the ceremony, Jeff Bridges was given a lifetime achievement award, and Janelle Monáe was given the SeeHer Award.

The Critics Choice Awards, decided upon by the Critics Choice Association, aim to honour the finest in film and television each year and can provide certain award campaigns with a much-needed boost in the run-up to the Oscars. The Critics Choice Awards winners occasionally coincide pretty well with final Oscar winners, but the CCA and the Academy, which casts the Oscar voting, do not share membership, so they are not a perfect indicator of what the Academy would recognise in March.

<h2>How to watch 2023 Critics' Choice Awards online, without cable?</h2>

Hulu's live TV streaming service includes more than 85 channels for live sports, news, and events. Critics' Choice Awards can be accessed on The CW through Hulu's live TV streaming service. You'll get access to live TV in addition to Hulu's vast collection of exclusive series, original programming, and popular movies. The CW is also a part of DirecTV Stream's Entertainment Package, which offers more than 75 channels and more than 40,000 on-demand selections. Additionally, a limited offer now covers the first three months of HBO Max, Showtime, Starz, Epix, and Cinemax. 
&nbsp;

Critics Choice Awards ceremonies were held on Sunday evening at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The annual awards celebrated the best in television and cinema, with ABC's "Abbott Elementary" topping the television nominees with six and A24's "Everything Everywhere All at Once" leading the film categories with 14.

Critics Choice Awards ceremonies were held on Sunday evening at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The annual awards celebrated the best in television and cinema, with ABC's "Abbott Elementary" topping the television nominees with six and A24's "Everything Everywhere All at Once" leading the film categories with 14. Best Comedy went to Rian Johnson's murder thriller Glass Onion: Knives Out, and Best Foreign Language Series went to the Korean series Pachinko. India must be proud of SS Rajamouli's RRR because it won two accolades. Both the Best Foreign Language Film and Best Song awards went to RRR. RRR also bagged nominations for The Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Visual Effects nominations. The movie had already won a Golden Globe for Best Song for the song Naatu Naatu. The 28th annual Critics' Choice Awards, which were shown on Sunday night, honoured the best in television and film. Without The CW cable, you can still watch the event live on DirecTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV, which started broadcasting at 7 pm ET on the CW. This year's event was hosted by Chelsea Handler instead of Taye Diggs, who presided over it for the previous four years in a row. Additionally at the ceremony, Jeff Bridges was given a lifetime achievement award, and Janelle Monáe was given the SeeHer Award. The Critics Choice Awards, decided upon by the Critics Choice Association, aim to honour the finest in film and television each year and can provide certain award campaigns with a much-needed boost in the run-up to the Oscars. The Critics Choice Awards winners occasionally coincide pretty well with final Oscar winners, but the CCA and the Academy, which casts the Oscar voting, do not share membership, so they are not a perfect indicator of what the Academy would recognise in March. How to watch 2023 Critics' Choice Awards online, without cable? Hulu's live TV streaming service includes more than 85 channels for live sports, news, and events. Critics' Choice Awards can be accessed on The CW through Hulu's live TV streaming service. You'll get access to live TV in addition to Hulu's vast collection of exclusive series, original programming, and popular movies. The CW is also a part of DirecTV Stream's Entertainment Package, which offers more than 75 channels and more than 40,000 on-demand selections. Additionally, a limited offer now covers the first three months of HBO Max, Showtime, Starz, Epix, and Cinemax.

Critics Choice Awards 2023: Check how to watch the show honoring the best in cinema on TV, online

Some dishes will always be on the menu for Thanksgiving and if you want to get creative in the kitchen this holiday season, add some of these iconic dishes to the table. From Rachel Green's dessert trifle to Kevin McCallister's ice cream sundae, we give you some iconic dishes from your favorite TV shows and films this holiday season.

Thanksgiving dishes from TV shows and films

Ace Indian filmmaker Shekhar Kapur is back after 14 years with a new film. This time with a romantic comedy 'What's Love Got To Do With It'. The film has been making quite some noise at international film festivals. WION spoke to the filmmaker who told us why he is not seen in the Indian film circuit and what is going wrong with Bollywood.

Exclusive | Shekhar Kapur: Bollywood films not working because they are not rooted in their culture

Exclusive | Shekhar Kapur: Bollywood films not working because they are not rooted

From Scarlett Johansson to Kate Winslet, the list of Woody Allen's actresses includes gorgeous women. Like some of his films, his muses are timeless too. We give you a peak into some of the leading ladies in Woody Allen's films.

Some of the leading ladies in Woody Allen's films

India is often called the most prolific film-making nation in the world. Combining Bollywood, Tollywood, Kollywood and other regional film industries, thousands of films are made in dozens of languages every year. And, according to the Guinness World Records, India makes the most movies as compared to other countries. In 75 years of independence, the nation has achieved countless milestones in the world of cinema and movie-making.

India@75: How India became world's movie capital

Films Vs People of India: Movies that courted controversy for different reasons

A family in New Zealand was in for a surprise recently when a mischievous parrot stole their GoPro and flew with it.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This led the Verheul family get an unexpected bird's eye view of Kepler Track trail that they had just hiked at Fiordland National Park, South Island. &nbsp;

The family is from Dunedin, which is in the southeast of the country.&nbsp;The GoPro, which was stolen by New Zealand’s native parrot species ‘kea’, survived the ordeal.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/metas-personal-boundary-feature-to-make-vr-world-sexual-harassment-free-450647" hreflang="en">Meta's 'Personal Boundary' feature to make VR world sexual harassment-free</a>

In an interview with broadcaster Seven Sharp on Thursday, Alex Verheul said that they had turned on the device to film a group of curious birds, who joined them outside the hut they were staying in. &nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
📹| In New Zealand, a kleptomaniac parrot captured the natural beauty of the country's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Fiordland?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Fiordland</a> region on video with a stolen <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoPro?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoPro</a> camera. <a href="https://twitter.com/docgovtnz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@docgovtnz</a> <a href="https://t.co/5rXCMqpIEd">pic.twitter.com/5rXCMqpIEd</a>
— ‏ًً (@politicalplayer) <a href="https://twitter.com/politicalplayer/status/1489771926503714817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
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As the bird had flown in a straight line, they were able to track it, Verheul added.

Finally, the bird settled on some ground and tapped at the gadget repeatedly with its beak. It also seems to have been able to rip off a chunk of plastic from the camera casing. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/where-can-we-expect-the-existence-of-alien-life-study-makes-the-revelation-450620" hreflang="en">Where can we expect the existence of alien life? Study makes the revelation</a>

"We just followed the sound, went down there, could see them hanging out in the tree. They'd obviously heard us coming and abandoned the GoPro -- and my son, he decided to go check the rocks... and there it was, just sitting there, still filming," said Verheul. &nbsp;

"I downloaded (the footage) onto my phone... It was amazing. It was totally unexpected," added Verheul. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A family in New Zealand was in for a surprise recently when a mischievous parrot stole their GoPro and flew with it. This led the Verheul family get an unexpected bird's eye view of Kepler Track trail that they had just hiked at Fiordland National Park, South Island.

A family in New Zealand was in for a surprise recently when a mischievous parrot stole their GoPro and flew with it. This led the Verheul family get an unexpected bird's eye view of Kepler Track trail that they had just hiked at Fiordland National Park, South Island. The family is from Dunedin, which is in the southeast of the country. The GoPro, which was stolen by New Zealand’s native parrot species ‘kea’, survived the ordeal. Also Read: Meta's 'Personal Boundary' feature to make VR world sexual harassment-free In an interview with broadcaster Seven Sharp on Thursday, Alex Verheul said that they had turned on the device to film a group of curious birds, who joined them outside the hut they were staying in. 📹| In New Zealand, a kleptomaniac parrot captured the natural beauty of the country's #Fiordland region on video with a stolen #GoPro camera. @docgovtnz pic.twitter.com/5rXCMqpIEd — ‏ًً (@politicalplayer) February 5, 2022 × As the bird had flown in a straight line, they were able to track it, Verheul added. Finally, the bird settled on some ground and tapped at the gadget repeatedly with its beak. It also seems to have been able to rip off a chunk of plastic from the camera casing. Also Read: Where can we expect the existence of alien life? Study makes the revelation "We just followed the sound, went down there, could see them hanging out in the tree. They'd obviously heard us coming and abandoned the GoPro -- and my son, he decided to go check the rocks... and there it was, just sitting there, still filming," said Verheul. "I downloaded (the footage) onto my phone... It was amazing. It was totally unexpected," added Verheul. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Parrot steals GoPro, films unexpected bird's eye view of trail in New Zealand

UAE is looking at the future and for this it is attempting a radical image makeover. The UAE has brought in sweeping changes to its legal system and societal changes as well.

UAE introduces reforms in its legal system

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;will scrutinise past films for national security breaches under a tough new censorship law announced on Tuesday in the latest blow to the financial hub's political and artistic freedoms.

Authorities have embarked on a sweeping crackdown to root out Beijing's critics after huge and often violent democracy protests convulsed the city two years ago.

A new China-imposed security law and an official campaign dubbed "Patriots rule&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong" has since criminalised much dissent and strangled the democracy movement.

Authorities previously announced in June that the city's censorship board would check any future films for content that breached the security law.

But on Tuesday they unveiled a new hardened censorship law which would also cover any titles that had previously been given a green light.

"Any film for public exhibition, past, present and future, will need to get approval," commerce secretary Edward Yau told reporters.

Hong&nbsp;Kong's national security law bans anything authorities deem to be secession, subversion, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces.

Almost all those arrested under the law so far are democracy activists and a legislative brief given to reporters on Tuesday specifically mentioned recent documentaries that "glorified" or "incited" protests.&nbsp;

The new law must be approved by the city's legislature -- a near certainty, given it has been purged of any opposition over the last year.

The maximum sentence for showing illegal films will be increased to up to three years jail and a HK$1 million ($130,000) fine.

Titles deemed a national security risk by censors will not be able to appeal via the usual channels.

Instead they will have to launch a judicial review in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's courts, a long and costly legal procedure.

Authorities can also revoke viewing licenses of venues that show titles deemed "contrary to the interests of national security".&nbsp;

The law will bring&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;much closer to the Chinese mainland, where films are rigorously vetted and only a handful of Western movies or documentaries see a commercial release each year.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;historically boasted a thriving film scene and for much of the latter half of the last century, Cantonese cinema was world-class.

The city still maintains some key studios, a handful of lauded directors and a thriving indie scene, but new political red lines are being drawn each month.&nbsp;

The announcement of Tuesday's new censorship law came as Hollywood star Nicole Kidman is filming an Amazon-funded series in the city based on a book about the gilded lives of the city's "expats".

Authorities allowed Kidman and her film crew to skip quarantine, sparking public anger last week.

Hong Kong will scrutinise past films for national security breaches under a tough new censorship law announced on Tuesday in the latest blow to the financial hub's political and artistic freedoms.

Hong Kong will scrutinise past films for national security breaches under a tough new censorship law announced on Tuesday in the latest blow to the financial hub's political and artistic freedoms. Authorities have embarked on a sweeping crackdown to root out Beijing's critics after huge and often violent democracy protests convulsed the city two years ago. A new China-imposed security law and an official campaign dubbed "Patriots rule Hong Kong" has since criminalised much dissent and strangled the democracy movement. Authorities previously announced in June that the city's censorship board would check any future films for content that breached the security law. But on Tuesday they unveiled a new hardened censorship law which would also cover any titles that had previously been given a green light. "Any film for public exhibition, past, present and future, will need to get approval," commerce secretary Edward Yau told reporters. Hong Kong's national security law bans anything authorities deem to be secession, subversion, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces. Almost all those arrested under the law so far are democracy activists and a legislative brief given to reporters on Tuesday specifically mentioned recent documentaries that "glorified" or "incited" protests. The new law must be approved by the city's legislature -- a near certainty, given it has been purged of any opposition over the last year. The maximum sentence for showing illegal films will be increased to up to three years jail and a HK$1 million ($130,000) fine. Titles deemed a national security risk by censors will not be able to appeal via the usual channels. Instead they will have to launch a judicial review in Hong Kong's courts, a long and costly legal procedure. Authorities can also revoke viewing licenses of venues that show titles deemed "contrary to the interests of national security". The law will bring Hong Kong much closer to the Chinese mainland, where films are rigorously vetted and only a handful of Western movies or documentaries see a commercial release each year. Hong Kong historically boasted a thriving film scene and for much of the latter half of the last century, Cantonese cinema was world-class. The city still maintains some key studios, a handful of lauded directors and a thriving indie scene, but new political red lines are being drawn each month. The announcement of Tuesday's new censorship law came as Hollywood star Nicole Kidman is filming an Amazon-funded series in the city based on a book about the gilded lives of the city's "expats". Authorities allowed Kidman and her film crew to skip quarantine, sparking public anger last week.

Hong Kong censorship law to check old films for national security breaches

Raksha Bandhan: 'Josh' to 'Dil Dhadakne Do'; Bollywood films on brother-sister bond

Priyanka Chopra, James McAvoy and Tom Hiddleston were among the stars who arrived on a pared-back British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTA) red carpet ahead of the ceremony airing on Sunday (April 11).

Priyanka Chopra, Tom Hiddleston, James McAvoy join stars on pared-back BAFTA red carpet

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